Archive for December 22nd, 2007
posted by admin on Dec 22
The European Union has issued a ruling on vodka that angers some and leaves others feeling a bit like their glasses are half full. What do you expect when the politicians of several different countries spend more than two years negotiating a settlement?
Scandinavian and eastern European countries had wanted the term vodka to be reserved for neutral spirits made using grains or potatoes. Producers in other countries fought this because some use grapes, sugar cane and other raw ingredients. The EU answer is that potato and grain spirits can be labeled simply as “Vodka,” while the other neutral white spirits can be labeled as “Vodka Made With ________.”
The EU also put in place protections for using the terms Scotch Whisky and London Gin on labels. Spirits companies have alternating taking sides on the issues, at some points trying to fight cheap foreign knock offs, while at other times trying to make sure some of the products they make don’t run afoul of the proposed regulations.
posted by admin on Dec 22
Unlike the typical variations of the Martini the Zanzibar uses more dry vermouth than gin. The cocktail is enhanced with a nice blend sweet and sour tastes from the lemon and sugar syrup. Either blended or shaken, a Zanzibar is perfect for summer days.
INGREDIENTS:
- several dashes of orange bitters
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 2-3 oz dry vermouth
- 1 oz Plymouth gin
- 1 tsp sugar syrup (or to taste)
- lemon peel
posted by admin on Dec 22
The Blushing Lady is a perfectly designed fruity cocktail that is the right blend of tropical flavors and looks stunning when served in it sugar-rimmed glass. It’s a great cocktail for almost any occasion, any time of year. The flavor of a Blushing Lady is a medley of sweet, sour and tart. One may find themselves entranced in this beauty of a drink, making it easy to reach the "one too many" mark and having one blushing as pink as the drink.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pink grapefruit juice
- lemon wedge
- coarse sugar for rimming
posted by admin on Dec 22
There are a few different recipes for a Kiwi Martini floating around. Some call for regular sugar and some for sugar syrup to muddle with the kiwi and others use a whole versus a half a kiwi. This is a good all around recipe that uses the sugar syrup which gives you the benefits of sugar in a mixing-friendly format.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 oz vodka or citrus vodka
- 1/2 skinned kiwi
- 1/2 tsp sugar syrup
- kiwi slice for garnish
posted by admin on Dec 22
The Bourbon Street Jump is a fantastic herbal concoction. The key is Absolut New Orleans vodka’s mango and pepper taste that mixes perfectly with fresh, muddled tarragon. Sadly the vodka is a limited edition so this cocktail may be dated but you could try simulating the vodka by infusing your own, which may come close.
Recipe developed by Marvin Allen at the Carousel Bar in New Orleans
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 parts Absolut New Orleans vodka
- 1/4 part fresh tarragon
- 1/4 part lemon juice
- 1/4 part simple syrup
- lime twist for garnish